Columbia County Water Utility will recycle used cooking oil

For those who fried a turkey on Thanksgiving and now need to dispose of the used cooking oil, Columbia County wants to dispose of it and help keep it out of the sewer systems.

Columbia County Water Utility will have a free recycling center set up for used cooking oil from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the offices at 4325 Evans-to-Locks Road, according to an announcement from county officials.

In addition to providing a place to dispose of the used oil safely, recycling also helps prevent blockages in sewage systems, the announcement says.

“Approximately 85 percent of grease-related sewer blockages and overflows originate in residential areas,” according to the announcement. “The buildup of fats, oils and grease in the sewer system causes sewer blockages. This eventually results in sewer backups that can overflow onto streets and into homes, damaging property and the environment.”

For recycling, cooking oils should be free of water, soap suds and food scraps, and should be transported in a clean, non-breakable, leak-proof container with a tight lid.